What is Chalk Paint?

Chalk Paint® is Annie Sloan paint. Annie Sloan developed her now famous decorative paint, Chalk Paint®, in 1990. Back then, there was no paint available with the properties Annie was looking for, so she decided to develop her own. She came to choose the name “Chalk Paint” because it was suggestive of its very matt—almost chalky—finish.

Chalk Paint® is different. It is not simply paint with chalk added to it. It is not chalkboard paint. It is not made by adding plaster of Paris or grout or even baking soda to an existing paint. Chalk Paint® is the unique decorative paint Annie Sloan developed for furniture, floors and walls, drawing on a lifetime of research and experience in working with paint and colour. Chalk Paint® adheres to most surfaces and creates gorgeous results quickly and easily. Use it for a textured finish, a distressed finish, a smooth contemporary finish or even as a wash.

Chalk Paint® is a non-toxic, water-based paint that is lead-free, EG-free, odour-free and has very low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There is only one Chalk Paint® but it offers endless possibilities.

#MoreThanPaint

Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan has helped millions of people find their inspiration, expression and creativity. Through Annie’s long-standing devotion to sharing knowledge and techniques, Chalk Paint® has become widely recognised for its superior quality and integrity, and the authenticity of the results it offers. In the process, it has become far more than paint – it’s a hugely versatile tool for transformation, a community of ideas, and a much-loved phenomenon the world over.

Find out what Chalk Paint® means to other people and how it has become so much #morethanpaint:

Who is Annie Sloan?

By leading the decorative painting revolution over the last 20 years, Annie Sloan has become perhaps the world’s most respected expert in decorative paint, colours, and techniques. Alongside her unique and versatile decorative paint, Chalk Paint®, Annie has inspired generations with her accessible, lively, and creative approach to getting great results.

Annie’s fine art background and contagious enthusiasm for decorative painting has motivated both home painters and experienced professionals and unlocked countless creative potentials. She has travelled Europe, North America and Australasia sharing her love for paint and colour, and teaching her techniques for home decoration, through sold-out lecture tours and intimate workshops. She has also published over 20 books on decorative painting, selling more than 2 million worldwide.

The Annie Sloan range is synonymous with excellent results that are easy and fun to achieve. Her products are exclusively available through Annie’s network of independent Stockists who are located all over the world.

Every colour you need

Annie Sloan has chosen her palette of colours carefully. They range from soft, pale hues to bright, vivid tones reminiscent of historic European décor as well as strong 20th Century colours. The colours have been expertly chosen to meet every taste. They are rich and strong so they may be lightened, mixed together, dulled with Dark Wax or used as washes without losing their intensity and depth. And you can add beautiful patinas to your surfaces with Annie Sloan Soft Wax – available in Clear and Dark.

Where can I buy Chalk Paint?

Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan is only available through Annie Sloan’s carefully selected network of independent shops. Annie’s tight-knit group of Stockists can be found all around the world. Each Stockist is hand picked for their individual style and we’re very proud that no two stores are the same.

Only Annie Sloan Stockists are trained in the Annie Sloan Method. Each one can offer you workshops and practical advice on color and techniques so that you can have the confidence to express your own personal style in the home.

Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost, the Chalk Paint® brand name does not reference the ingredients of the paint, but rather, its finish. Like many paints, Chalk Paint® decorative paint contains calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate can be obtained from many sources including, limestone, chalk, and marble. In addition to those natural sources, calcium carbonate can be synthetically produced. While the Chalk Paint® decorative paint formula is a highly-protected trade secret, we can say that the calcium carbonate used in Chalk Paint® decorative paint is derived from a number of sources, including U.S. limestone quarries.

What about other paints that contain chalk? Can’t they be called ‘Chalk Paint’ too?

To begin, the Chalk Paint® brand name does not reference the ingredients of the paint, but rather, its finish. Chalk Paint® is Annie Sloan Interiors’ brand of decorative paint. It is not a generic good.

There has never been a collective name for paints that contain chalk, probably because their properties vary so much. Historically, there have been traditional paints that contain whiting ('whiting' is the equivalent of chalk in the paint-making world), such as gesso and calcimine or distemper. There are also paints made with lime, such as whitewash. In modern times, calcium carbonate is used in all manner of emulsions, eggshell, acrylic and latex paints. While they may have some ingredients in common, all of these paints will behave in different ways and achieve different finishes.

So I can't make my own ‘Chalk Paint’ at home?

No, Chalk Paint® is Annie Sloan Interiors’ brand of decorative paint, which draws on a lifetime of research and experience in working with paint and colour. Chalk Paint® is not simply a paint with chalk added to it. It is not made by adding plaster of Paris or grout or even baking soda to an existing paint. Making your own paints at home can be a lot of fun, so for inspiration and ideas on paints that you can make at home, please refer to one of Annie Sloan’s many books about making paint and traditional paint recipes.

Where is Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan made?

Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan is made in the United Kingdom and in the USA.

Is Chalk Paint® safe for cribs and other items that a child might come into contact with?

Absolutely! Representative samples of Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan have been independently certified as 'toy safe' according to strict European standards. The paint was evaluated by one of Europe’s leading testing houses who have confirmed full compliance with BS EN 71-3:2013.

Chalk Paint® is non-toxic and has very low VOCs. It is lead-free, odour-free and EG-free. For more information, please reference our Material Safety Data Sheets: